“He reminds me of Tedy Bruschi,” Ryan said. “Tedy didn't have to say anything. They just followed him. It's the same way with Sean.”

A two-time Pro Bowler, Bruschi enjoyed a 13-year career with New England. He retired after the 2008 season with three Super Bowl rings, including two he won while Ryan was his position coach.

So what does Lee, 26, think about being compared to such a notable player after just two NFL seasons?

“That's an honor,” he said. “But obviously I don't feel like I'm close to a guy like that. I need to play a lot more and make a lot more plays. And we've got to start winning. We've got to win Super Bowls.

“That's a guy who won Super Bowls, a Hall of Fame-type guy. I don't think I'm close to it yet, but I'm going to work to get to it.”

Nobody doubts that. One of the things Lee's teammates and coaches admire most about him is that his work ethic resembles that of an undrafted rookie trying to earn a job rather than a budding star that led the team in tackles last season and already has six career interceptions.

“His diligence is off the charts,” Garrett said of Lee. “He has such determination in everything he does. Just watch him. This guy is locked in and focused. In meetings, the coach (asks a question and) Sean's trying to get the words out of his mouth as quickly as he can.

“He's something else. Football is really important to him. He cares about getting better. He cares about our team. And he shows it in everything he does.”

Lee leapfrogged Bradie James and Keith Brooking last season to become the defensive play-caller. With Lee emerging as the unit's leader, the Cowboys said goodbye to the two vets in the offseason.

“He took the bull by the horns last year,” Garrett said. “He knows this game inside and out. And his personality is infectious. The guys respond to him really well.”

Lee also earned points with his teammates for playing hurt last season. He broke his wrist Oct. 30 against Philadelphia only to return two weeks later sporting a cast.

“A hurt Sean Lee is good at 50 percent,” Butler said. “He's a great asset to the team just in leadership qualities.”

But those intangibles wouldn't matter if the former Penn State star wasn't productive on the field.

“He's a talented guy too,” Garrett said. “I don't want to paint the picture that he's one of these undersized guys who will run through the wall for you but has no ability. He was an outstanding athlete growing up. He's very instinctive, has great ball skills. He makes a lot of plays that way.”

Lee shrugs when he hears talk about how hard he works. From his perspective, that's just life in the ultra-competitive NFL.

“There are too many good players, too much competition in this league to not work every day, to not go out there and work on your job, on your technique, and everything to make you better,” Lee said. “If you want to be at the top of your game, you've always got to do that.”